WS.I

DIGITAL TWINS for INNOVATION: BRIDGING RESEARCH and INDUSTRY

17-18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE: 

Marzia QUAGLIO, Francesca RISPLENDI & Marco FONTANA, Polytechnic University of Turin

WS.II

Innovative Materials and Enabling Technologies for a Sustainable Future

17 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE
Claudia Letizia Maddalena BIANCHI, University of Milan

PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
Melissa Greta GALLONI, University of Milan

This workshop will highlight recent advances at the intersection of materials science and sustainable process technologies, with a focus on environmental remediation, energy applications, and green chemistry.
Bringing together leading experts in advanced functional materials and ultrasound-assisted processes, the session will explore how innovation in material design and process intensification can address urgent environmental challenges.
Topics will include the development of next-generation adsorbents, (photo)catalysts, and hybrid systems for water purification, pollution control, and resource recovery, as well as the emerging role of ultrasound in enhancing chemical reactivity, nanomaterials synthesis, and wastewater treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on scalable strategies and the integration of these technologies into real-world applications, bridging the gap between fundamental research and industrial implementation.
Through a combination of high-level presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and interdisciplinary dialogue, the workshop aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive view of current trends, technical breakthroughs, and future directions in the field. By fostering collaboration across academia this session will serve as a dynamic platform for advancing sustainable solutions for a cleaner and more resilient planet.

WS.III

ADVANCED CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES and AI APPLICATIONS in BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Giuliana FAGGIO & Giacomo MESSINA, University "Mediterranea" of Reggio Calabria

The rapid advancements in nanomedicine are being propelled by cutting-edge characterization techniques and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI).
This interdisciplinary workshop aims to highlight the pivotal role of advanced characterization techniques and artificial intelligence in shaping the future of biomedical research.

Structured into four thematic sessions, the program will explore a broad spectrum of emerging topics in the biomedical field. These include the use of state-of-the-art methods to investigate biomaterials at the nanoscale, recent developments in self-assembling systems and biomaterials, and innovative nanotechnological strategies tocombat recurrent and resistant biofilm-associated infections using antimicrobialnanoparticles. Additionally, the workshop will explore the transformative impact of AI in biomedical applications, with special focus on medical imaging.

Bringing together researchers in materials science, nanotechnology, and AI, this workshop will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering collaboration and sparking innovation at the forefront of biomedical advancements.

The symposium is funded by the project CALabria HUB per Ricerca Innovativa ed Avanzata (CAL.HUB.RIA) funded by Piano Operativo Salute-Traiettoria 4 “Biotecnologie, Bioinformatica e Sviluppo Farmaceutico”.

WS.IV

SMART MATERIALS and DEVICES for PRECISION AGRICULTURE APPLICATIONS

18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Sebania LIBERTINO, CNR-IMM
Maria Rosaria PLUTINO, CNR-ISMN

The workshop aims to disseminate the activities performed by the SAMOTHRACE ecosystem in the Precision agriculture field. The agri-food chain nowadays needs novel approaches to support crop production and reduce its economic and environmental impacts. Sensors and smart materials, sustained by innovative management of the resources, will allow us to apply the three key points for precise and sustainable agriculture, i.e., to act exactly where, when, and how the crop requests it. The main topics that will be covered are:

1. Sustainable management of natural water resources in agriculture;
2. Smart sensing of irrigation water;
3. Plant health monitoring;
4. Nanotechnologies for plant nutrition and protection.

All activities and topics are supported by advanced data management and decision support systems.

WS.V

NANOMATERIALS and NANODEVICES for THERANOSTICS, NEUROTECHNOLOGY and REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Andrea CAPASSO, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Portugal
Mattia BRAMINI, University of Granada (UGR), Spain
Ester VASQUEZ, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Nanotechnology is playing a pivotal role in advancing biomedical engineering, offering tools for precision therapy, real-time diagnostics, and bioelectronic integration. Engineered nanomaterials—including nanoparticles, 2D systems, carbon-based structures, and composite biomaterials—are enabling new generations of drug and gene delivery systems, implantable devices, and multifunctional theranostic platforms. These materials are increasingly being tailored for specific biomedical tasks, from targeting cancer cells and monitoring biomarkers to supporting tissue regeneration and interfacing with neural circuits. Their unique physicochemical and functional properties, combined with progress in fabrication and functionalization methods, are expanding their use across diverse therapeutic and diagnostic fields.
A critical focus of this symposium is the interaction between these nanomaterials and biological systems, which remains a key challenge for clinical translation. Understanding how materials degrade, distribute, and persist in vivo is essential for ensuring safety and efficacy. This includes addressing issues such as immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, and long-term biocompatibility. Material properties must be finely tuned to balance therapeutic function with biological compatibility, particularly for applications involving the nervous system, where interfaces are delicate and highly sensitive. The performance of nanomaterials in regenerative scaffolds, soft implants, and neural environments depends on their ability to integrate without disrupting physiological processes.
The symposium will explore the development and application of nanomaterials and nanodevices for use in drug delivery, cancer theranostics, regenerative medicine, neuromorphic engineering, and biointerfaces. Emphasis will be placed on smart nanocomposites, biomimetic platforms, and 2D materials for tissue-specific applications and real-time interaction with biological signals. Topics will include artificial synapses, brain-computer interfaces, neuroregeneration, photoresponsive therapies, and scaffold-assisted healing. The symposium will bring together research that bridges nanotechnology, materials science, neuroscience, and translational medicine, with a focus on designing safe, high-performance systems for integration into complex biological contexts.

WS.VI

Title in definition

17 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Roman VITER, University of Latvia

WS.VII

TECHNOLOGIES for ENERGY TRANSITION

17-18-19 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Margherita MORENO, ENEA
Nicola LISI, ENEA

The health of our planet is getting worse, both locally and globally, and one of the main reasons is the impact of human activities. A key issue is the increasing amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, which is causing the planet to warm up.
Much of this is linked to how we produce and use energy. As the global population grows and standards of living rise, the demand for energy increases too—leading to higher emissions. To tackle this, we’ll need to gradually move away from fossil fuels and shift toward cleaner energy sources.
This transition isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s also social and economic. We need technologies that not only protect the environment, but also support people’s well-being and are affordable and easy to adopt. Some of these new technologies are inspired by nature itself, like nuclear fusion (the process that powers the stars) or photosynthesis (the way plants turn sunlight into energy). Scientists are working hard to recreate these processes in the lab to produce clean energy.
Of course, building these solutions isn’t simple. Unlike the basic technology of fire and combustion, which humans have used for thousands of years, modern energy technologies often require cutting-edge science. At the same time, they need to be low-cost and user-friendly if they’re going to be widely accepted and used.
One major hurdle is the cost of energy. New technologies often take a long time to go from the lab to the real world, and this gap—known as the “valley of death”—can be hard to bridge.
Another big challenge is how to deal with the ups and downs of renewable energy. Solar and wind power don’t always produce energy when we need it—there are daily and seasonal changes, and weather conditions can vary. So we need to install more capacity than we use and find ways to store the extra energy, whether for a few minutes or several months.
That’s why public investment in research is so important. New energy technologies may not offer quick profits, but they’re essential for the future. And even improving the technologies we already have requires smart innovation and new materials.
ENEA’s seminars focus on this exciting area of research and development. They explore topics like batteries and electrochemical storage, thermochemical energy storage, advanced computer modeling to design new materials, energy grids, and hydrogen storage technologies—for example, using chemical reactions to temporarily store energy and release it later.

WS.VIII

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS IN AEROSPACE, AUTOMOTIVE AND ENERGY

18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Giovanni DI GIROLAMO & Giuseppe BARBIERI, ENEA
Andrea PORCARI, Airi, Repoxyble Project

The session aims to discuss the opportunities and new technology trends of advanced materials for application in sectors requiring high-end performances or having strict quality requirements.
We will discuss developments of composites and additive manufacturing materials and components toward more lightweight, multifunctional, cost-effective, and sustainable applications for aerospace, automotive, energy and beyond.
The aim is to make available to designers materials that are reliable, safe and sustainable, and easy to adapt to evolving and specific custom applications, including considerations on energy efficiency, recyclability and reuse of materials for less demanding applications.
Case studies of novel applications originating from public private cooperation will be illustrated, including a discussion on ways and opportunities to ensure efficient cooperation and proper consideration of intellectual property aspects in technology development.
The session includes talks from research and industry, and is open to large industries, SMEs, startups, research organizations involved in material design and manufacturing, willing to meet, share and discuss opportunities for future collaborations.